Stella is a teen with autism that has significantly impacted her life particularly over the last few years. Medical appointments, public outings and even the demands of daily life present challenges. When overwhelmed, her brain goes into “shutdown” mode and she is unable to speak or move, which can be both scary and unsafe out in the world.

Stella has been approved for an autism service dog through Medical Mutts. This could be life-changing for her, enabling her to engage in necessary medical appointments and expanding access to education. Perhaps most importantly to her parents and those who love her, the service dog can be trained to perceive a shutdown before it occurs and keep her safe in those situations.

Training for such a service dog is extensive. We have evaluated several service dog organizations, and we have chosen Medical Mutts because of their expert training for specific medical conditions along with their commitment to use shelter/rescue dogs as their medical heroes. Medical Mutts conducts fundraising to cover 60% of the costs, and the family is responsible for the other 40% ($17,000).

If you feel inclined to donate toward this cause, please know that any amount is appreciated. ❤️ (Important note: Donations are not tax deductible. From our contract: “Any monies applied towards the dog are considered by IRS as a payment for services and as such, they do not constitute a tax-deductible donation.”)